Our mother passed away on April 15, 2011 at the Arborg & District Personal Care Home. She was predeceased by her husband Thorkell (Kelly), daughter Eleanor, parents Bjorn and Lara Sigvaldason, siblings and spouses Gudni (Bogga), Inga (Richard), Anna (Kristjan), Bjorn (Lillo), Ingvar (Sigga), Laura (Franklin and Gudmunder), Jonas, Gunnar, Einar, and Beatrice, and brothers-in-law Albert and Alder, Emil and Geiri.
Gudrun is lovingly remembered by her children Wally (Sandra), Lawrence (Carole), Ron (Norma), Barbara (Bernest), and Neil (Denise); by 17 grandchildren - Jessica, Jeffrey (Amanda), Jennifer (Brunel), Jon (Emily), Dean (Tina), Catherine (Tim), Lara (Jerry), Verne, Bruce, Christine (Kelly), Kelly (David), Keila (Trevor), Jonathan (Sherri), Karen (Dave), Eric, Vince and Robbie; by 27 great grandchildren Abigail, Brooklyn, Rebecca, Stephanie, Ryan, Selena, Anders, Christopher, Alycia, Kristjan, Elizabeth, Nicholas, Ryder, Colton (Tiffany), Breeze, Madison, Ashley, Sabryna, Matthew, Shanyn, Amber, Jeremy, Terra, Logan, Olivia, Gemma, Luke; by one great-great grandson Jayden. Gudrun is survived by her sisters Kristjana, Thordis, Valdina (Neville), Olof, Margaret (Eric), and sisters-in-law Helen and Alda.
On August 15, 1915, Gudrun was born on the family homestead in Vidir, and moved to Arborg at the age of five. She found the experience of growing up in a family of 16 very enriching. The siblings were very close, and remained so the rest of their lives.
Gudrun and Kelly married June 29, 1935. They built their home and raised six children on St. Peters St. in Arborg. She lived there for 82 years, moved to Gimli for 10 years, then moved back to Arborg. She made many new friends in Rotary Towers in Gimli. She and her sister Anna lived next door to one another, and had coffee together every day.
Gudrun contributed to her community. She belonged to the Ardal Ladies Aid for 40 years, and served on its executive, was active in the Home and School Association, a 4-H leader, member and treasurer of the INL Chapter Esjan, and served on the editorial board of the Arborg Historical Society when it produced the Arborg local history book. At 50, she began a 16 year career as secretary of the Arborg Elementary School.
Mom was fun to visit. She was always happy when family and friends dropped in for a cup of coffee. She is remembered for her hospitality, sunny disposition, kindness and a genuine love of people. Mother was always loyal to old friends and she had many. As Amma, she will be remembered for her interest and pride in her grandchildren and great grandchildren, in all her family. They in turn adored her.
The family wishes to thank the Assisted Living staff and Arborg PCH staff for the loving care they gave our mother, Yvonne Kilbrei, her third daughter, for her thoughtfulness and kindness, and faithful old friends and neighbours who called and visited Gudrun.
A celebration of Gudruns life will be held Saturday, May 21, 2011, at 1:00 pm in the Ardal-Geysir Lutheran Church, Pastor Bruce Zinken officiating. Interment of cremated remains to follow in the Arborg Community Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made, in Gudruns memory, to the Arborg & District Multicultural Heritage Village or Ardal-Geysir Lutheran Church.
The SIGVALDASON FAMILY NEWS - Bjorn Ingvar Sigvaldason and Gudjona Lara Johnson, from the Arborg/Vidir district in Manitoba, Canada and Iceland. This blog is a place for news and events relating to all descendants of Bjorn and Lara Sigvaldason.
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